A devout Christian and believer in God, he now lives in heaven with his parents, Arthur and Pearl Wyatt; along with his brothers, Arthur, William, Leon, Haywood and Richard; and his sisters, Georgia and Hazel.He is survived by Louise, his loving wife of 65 years; and their five children, Lorenzo (Brenda), Keith (Karleen), Mark (Jennifer), Lorna (Rick) and Kevin (Susan). Lorenzo’s brother, Arnold; and sisters, Eugenia and Gwendolyn, also survive his passing. Lorenzo and Louise were blessed with 13 grandchildren, Lorenzo (Tamami), Sheri, Kristen, Benjamin, Zack, Will, Jasmine (Richard), Jaelen, Demeatrious, Nichelle, Logan, Louisa and Grace. God also gave them seven great-grandchildren, Milei, Hiro, Leina, Olayinka, Amaya, Gabriella and Sophia.
Deacon Wyatt left Alabama A&M during his sophomore year to serve his country during World War II. He became a decorated World War II veteran, serving in the Philippine Islands and New Guinea. As First Sergeant, he supervised and directed the efforts of 221 men. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Alabama A&M where he majored in secondary education and was elected student body president. He joined Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and remained an active member throughout his life. Also while attending A&M, Lorenzo met the love of his life, Louise, and immediately decided that she was the woman with whom he planned to spend the rest of his life.
Both Lorenzo and Louise were passionate about educating children, believing it to be the key to escaping poverty and achieving the American dream. Lorenzo’s academic achievements enabled his selection as principal of Colony School, located in Cullman, Ala. In June of 1958, he became principal of Slater School in Bristol, Tenn. During his tenure at Slater, which was also a 1-12 school, he touched many lives and raised the academic performance to achieve state accreditation.
During their summers, both he and Louise worked toward achieving advanced degrees. Lorenzo earned a Master’s in guidance and counseling at Michigan State University. At Slater, he recruited and mentored dozens of educators who have also achieved distinguished careers. He joined the Tennessee State Department of Education as a guidance and counseling consultant and subsequently served as curriculum coordinator and regional supervisor. He then returned to his first love, school administration, to become the principal of Northside Elementary School where he served with distinction for 14 years until his retirement in 1989.
Nothing in Lorenzo’s professional life was ever as important as his relationship with his Lord Jesus Christ. His faith in Christ drove him to join Lee Street Baptist Church where he would serve as a deacon for over 50 years. He served his fellow congregation members as Sunday school teacher and superintendent. He served his community in a number of roles including delivering “Meals on Wheels,” president of the local American Red Cross, volunteer instructor and chairman of the board for the Jacob’s Creek Job Corps. He believed that the best way to lead people to Christ was to set a good example in the way he lived his life.
Deacon Lorenzo Wyatt will long be remembered as a faithful husband, wonderful father, and outstanding leader. The scholarship at Science Hill High School for Northside Elementary School graduates and the auditorium at the Slater Community Center that bear his name, reflect the impact he had on so many young lives. He will be missed, but his legacy will long endure.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 1 p.m. from Lee Street Baptist Church with Pastor Dr. W.A. Johnson officiating.
The family will receive friends from noon until the hour of service.
Entombment services will follow at Glenwood Cemetery, Bristol, Tenn.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at raclark funeralservice@yahoo.com
Professional services and care of Deacon Lorenzo Wyatt and family are entrusted to R.A. Clark Funeral Service Inc., Bristol, Tenn., (423) 764-8584.
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